Global Compact Network Sri Lanka searches for young professionals committed to advancing SDGs

As part of the 2019 UN Global Compact SDG Pioneers program,  Global Compact Network Sri Lanka today launched its national search for young professionals (35 and under) who are committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Later this year, the Network will award a Young Professional as Global Compact Network Sri Lanka SDG Pioneer. The selected young professional will then have the opportunity to participate in the final search of a global SDG Pioneer to be recognised during the 2019 UN General Assembly in September in New York.

UN Global Compact & Executive Director Lise Kingo

Global Compact Network Sri Lanka Dilhan C. Fernando

Global Compact Network Representative & Director Azam Bakeer Makar

In the spirit of giving young people a voice in building a sustainable future, the 2019 SDG Pioneers program will highlight next-generation leaders’ actions to contribute to tackling the world’s most pressing problems in their professions. Global Compact Network Sri Lanka welcomes the leadership of companies participating in the UN Global Compact to nominate young employees — 35 and under — to the program and later on join them during the recognition.

“We are excited to help young professionals innovate new business solutions to address today’s global challenges,” says UN Global Compact CEO & Executive Director Lise Kingo. “Leadership in the 2030 era requires change agents. Change agents don’t sit around waiting for the future to happen. They create it. They do not choose the path of least resistance. They stay the course, also when they are ridiculed or fought. In the end — they win. They have the future on their side.”

“Many young people in Sri Lanka’s private sector is leading the change towards a more sustainable economy, by spearheading or catalysing change that is often progressive and at times transformative. The Global Compact Network Sri Lanka is excited include Sri Lanka in the global SDG Pioneers program that selects a worthy young professional,” said Global Compact Network Sri Lanka Network Representative/Director Azam Bakeer Markar.

As part of the UN Global Compact Making Global Goals Local Business campaign, each year the initiative recognises a class of SDG Pioneers — business leaders working at any level of a company, who are using business as a force for good to advance the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDG Pioneers play an important role to drum up interest in the Global Goals and in how the UN Global Compact is empowering businesses to advance them. In 2019, the UN Global Compact will recognise a number of young professionals (35 and under) working at any level in a participating company of the UN Global Compact who are advancing the SDGs.

Young professionals are also welcome to submit their own stories on contributions towards sustainable development or nominate a colleague for consideration in the program before 5 April 2019. Email [email protected] for nomination/submission forms.

The UN Global Compact, based in New York, is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative with over 9500 companies based in over 160 countries, both developed and developing, representing nearly every sector and size. The vision of the Global Compact is to mobilise a global movement of sustainable companies and stakeholders to create the world we want. To make this happen, the Global Compact supports companies to do business responsibly by aligning their strategies and operations with the Ten Principles (universal ideologies on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption), and take strategic actions to advance broader societal goals, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with an emphasis on collaboration and innovation.

Young professionals are also welcome to submit their own stories on contributions towards sustainable development or nominate a colleague for consideration in the program before 5 April 2019. Email [email protected] for nomination/submission forms.

The Global Compact Local Network in Sri Lanka was established in 2006 and incorporated in 2011, with the aim of mainstreaming sustainable business in Sri Lanka. Local Networks help companies understand what responsible business means within different contexts and facilitate learning, policy dialogue, collective action and partnerships. Through local networks, companies can make connections with other businesses and stakeholders and receive guidance to put their sustainability commitments into action. Local Networks are independent, self-managed entities, and act as a point of contact for UN Global Compact members in a country.

The 2019 SDG Pioneers program has partly been made possible with generous support from Tuborg Foundation.